EDITOR ‘‘
Rob Green Editor-in-Chief
rob.green@
cilip.org.uk
A
S we settle into the new year, it seems like an opportune moment to bring you the new look Information Professional – refreshed and re-imagined, and we hope you love it. This first issue offers the same mix of News,
Insights and In Depth articles as before, but with a new section dedicated to CILIP’s community – in other words, you and your colleagues from across the many sectors of the knowledge, library and information professions. And with the focus on a spring issue and the spirit of renewal, there are plenty of stories to inspire you if you are looking for ways to become more active in your professional community – whether at work or through CILIP.
Our community
Being a member of CILIP means being part of a community with shared values and shared aims. And that network of like- minded people can provide support and guidance, as well as opening up new opportunities. Our new President Sue Lacey Bryant shares her own experiences with CILIP (and before that The Library Association). She speaks about how she has been both challenged and inspired during a career that has spanned decades and sectors, with her connection to the professional association running in parallel from early on. She explains how her career has benefited from her CILIP membership, whether through supported professional development in the form of Professional Registration or by taking an active volunteering role throughout the years. Sue’s journey as an information professional has led her to the top of her chosen field in health, and despite recently retiring from her role as Chief Knowledge Officer for the NHS in England she remains active in the profession, as Visiting Professor in Knowledge and Information Mobilisation at Manchester Metropolitan University and of course as CILIP President.
At the other end of the professional journey is Laurie Gibbs, who is part way through an apprenticeship. The Library Assistant looks at how an apprenticeship has enabled her to take the first steps on a creative career, while developing her skills and knowledge. She talks about her connection to librarianship and says: “An apprenticeship is a fantastic way to get to grips with the profession you’re in – to really understand it. I think this is incredibly important for working in a library.” CILIP’s work to develop a Level 3 apprenticeship has been instrumental in opening new routes into the profession, helping to deliver a committed and engaged workforce for the future. And for those in the middle of their journey, CILIP continues to offer support and opportunity – Lynsey Hawker and Davina Omar both share their stories as active volunteers with two of CILIP’s Special Interest Groups. The striking similarity about
Spring 2025
both Lynsey and Davina’s experience is that it doesn’t focus on what they give back to the community through their volunteering, but rather it is what they have gained that stands out. They both talk about learning new skills, developing their confidence, gaining knowledge, being part of a network, feeling supported and professional growth. These are just some of the rewards that come with being a connected member – and that doesn’t just mean being on a committee.
Your way
One of the simplest ways to get more from your membership is to make sure you have signed up to a Special Interest Group or Regional Network (or both). They offer an instant network and can help with training and development. They are also a fantastic way to gain a new insight into other areas of the profession that you may be interested in, perhaps because they intersect with your own job or perhaps because you are looking to make a move into a new sector and want to find out more about it. If you are not already a member of one of CILIP’s Groups, why not visit the CILIP website to see what’s on offer? And if you want to invest in yourself, there is no better way than to embark on Professional Registration with CILIP. From Certification to Chartership to Fellowship, there is a level to meet your needs. If you want to find out more about what’s involved you can visit the Professional Registration pages on the CILIP website. Whatever your next step, it’s worth remembering that there is plenty of opportunity and guidance to make sure it’s the right one for you.
One of the simplest ways to get more from your membership is to make sure you have signed up to a Special Interest Group or Regional Network (or both).
Sue Lacey Bryant speaking at last year’s CILIP Conference. INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 3
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